Closure device



CLOSURE DEVICE Filed Aug. 23, 1937 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 24, 1939 UNITED STATES CLOSURE DEVICE James'H. Jones, Bisbee, Ariz 7 Application August 23,

6 Claims.

My invention relates to closure devices and more particularly to closure devices for battery openings in floor boards of automobiles.

One of the principal objects of my invention is to provide a closure device equipped with means whereby the same may be readily removed from floors or the like to permit access through the opening normally closed thereby.

Another object of my invention is to provide a device of the above described character which is simple in construction, easy in operation and efficient in use.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description, appended claims and annexed drawing.

Referring to the drawing wherein like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of my invention illustrating the same in connection with the floor board of an automobile.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on a line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a similar sectional view illustrating a step in the removing operation.

In a preferred embodiment illustrated in the drawing, there is shown a floor board 5 of an automobile or the like which has secured therebelow the usual battery (not shown) and is formed with an opening 6 for permitting access to said battery. A frame 1, having upper and lower outwardly and inwardly extending flanges respectively, is secured in said opening, the upper flanges being recessed in the upper surface of the floor board to present a flush surface. Within said frame I provide a closure 8 comprising connected sections 9 and I0 pivotally secured together by means of hinges H. The hinges are secured on the lower faces of the sections 9 and Ill by means of suitable nuts and bolts and are formed with outwardly and downwardly inclined end sections l2 for engagement with the lower faces of the lower flanges of the frame I. The outer lower corners of each of the sections are rounded as at iii to coact with the lower flanges and sections [2 in a manner hereinafter described.

As clearly illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawing, the lower flanges of the frame I are positioned between the lower faces of the sections 9 and I0, adjacent the rounded corners l3, and the inclined sections l2 of the hinges H. In this position the tension, exerted by the inclined sections l2 of the hinges l l against the lower faces of the lower flanges, serves to maintain the sections in parallel 1937, Serial No. 160,514

relation with each other to effectively close the opening formed in the frame.

The section III has secured on the upper surface thereof a strap M for operating the closure when it is desired to remove the same from within the frame to permit access to the battery. Pull exerted on the strap l4 pivots the sections 9 and [0 relative to each other during the vertical upward movement thereof, thereby effecting disengagement of the sections with the lower flanges of the frame'as clearly illustrated in Fig. 3.

Replacement of the closure is effected in a reverse manner, the rounded corners I3 serving to guide the lower flange between the lower face of the sections and the inclined sections l2 of the hinges. The inclined sections [2 of the hinges are constructed of relatively stiff resilient material and exert suflicient tension on the coacting parts to prevent accidental displacement of the sections. The inner abutting surfaces of the sections are shouldered for interfitting connection to reenforce the jointure and prevent downward movement when in closed position.

While I have described my invention as forming a closure for battery openings in the floor boards of automobiles, it is to be distinctly understood that the same is adaptable for utilization in connection with other openings formed in other structures and that various changes and modifications in constructionand arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of the appended claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim 1. A device of the character described, comprising, in combination, a floor having an opening, a closure formed with connected sections within said opening, and means connecting said sections together and yieldably engaging said floor whereby said closure is maintained in a closed position.

2. A device of the character described, comprising, in combination, a floor having an opening, a closure formed with sections within said opening, hinged members connecting said sections together and yieldably engaging a wall of said floor for maintaining said sections in said opening in closed condition.

3. A device of the character described, comprising, a frame adapted to be secured in an opening and formed with an aperture, a closure having sections within said aperture, and means pivotal- 1y connecting said sections and engaging said frame whereby to maintain said sections in closed condition within said frame.

4. A device of the character described, comprising, a frame adapted to be secured in an opening and formed with an aperture, a closure having sections within said aperture, means pivotally connecting said sections and engaging said frame whereby to maintain said sections in closed condition within said frame, and means carried by said closure whereby said sections are moved relative to each other and disengaged from said frame.

5. A device of the character described, comprising, a frame adapted to be secured in an opening and formed with an aperture, a closure formed with sections within said aperture, and hinges connecting said sections together whereby to permit said sections to be raised in connected condition out of said aperture, said hinges formed with free end portions for yieldably engaging and overlying said frame adjacent said aperture whereby to maintain said closure in closed condition within said aperture.

6. A device of the character described, comprising, in combination, a floor having an opening, a closure formed with sections Within said opening, and hinges connecting said sections together whereby to permit said sections to be raised in connected condition out of said opening, said hinges formed with resilient free end portions terminating adjacent the outer ends of said sections for yieldably engaging and underlying said floor whereby said closure is maintained in a closed condition within said opening.

JAMES H. JONES. 

